Electric snap switch



Aug. 11, 1931. G. J. MEUER ELECTRIC SNAP SWITCH Filed NOV. 25, 1929 Ill/Il.

361 K 3633735 a@ s sa 31 la lNsuLA Wmv aal myx/www Patented Aug. 1l, 1931 UNITED .STATES GEORGE J'. METIER, OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, SSIGNOR TG (HITLER-HAMMER, INC.,

Llei) l rice F MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, .A CRPRATION 0F DELAWARE nnncfrmc anar swrren Application :filed November 25, 1929. Serial Ito. 409,645.

This invention relates to improvements in electric snap switches, and while not limited thereto the invention more particularly relates to switches adapted for operation by a door or similar closure. y

An object of the invention is to generally improve and simplify the details of construction and operation of switches of the aforementioned character.

Another object is to provide novel supporting means and novel actuating means another.

for the switch mechanism.

Another object is to provide novel interlocking connections between certain et the switch parts and the actuating elements therefor to facilitate assembly thereof with res ect to the switch frame.

nother object is to provide novel means for insuring 'snap movement of the bridging contacter from one eXtreme positionI to Another object is to provide novel means for supporting and alining the resilient stan tionary contacts of the switch.

@ther objects and advantages of the invention will hereinafter appear.

The accompanying drawings illustrate an embodiment be described, it being understood that the invention is suscepti le of embodiment in other forms within the scope of the appended claims. Y

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a plan view ci an outlet box having my improved switchn ing mechanism mounted therein,-the major portion of the outlet box cover` being brolren away' for purposes of illustration, and the switch being shown in open position.

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view, on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1,--parts ot the switch mechanism being shownin elevation, and the device as a Whole being shown in a reverse relation to the illustration of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of a telephone booth or the like, and showing in dotted lines the manner of mounting my improved switch mechanism for cooperation with or actuation by the hinged or folding door.

Fig. 4 is a side elevational view of the booth shown in Fig. 3,-a portion ci the of the invention which will now,

side wall being broken away to illustrate the cooperative relationship between the switch and the folding door. l

Fie. 5 is a perspective view, in separated relation, of the switch frame and certain of the parts to be supportedthereby.

Fig. 6 is a perspective View, in separated relation, of the oscillatable carrier and the parts to be carried thereby, and

` Figs. Z and 8 are perspective views of certain of the switch parts shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral 15 designates the switch frame which is of substantially U-shape in cross section, said frame comprising a dat base ortion 15 and parallel side portions 17 anl 18. Located exteriorly ot the side portions 17 and 18 are a pair of identically but relatively rigid insulating plates 19 and 20,-said plates having diagonally spaced perforations 19u and 20Il which register with perforations 17a and 18a in the trainer-eye lets or rivets 21 and 22 being adapted to penetrate said pertorations to rigidly secure said plates tothe frame.

insulating plates 19 and 20 are respectively provided with pairs ot verticall alined pertorations 19b and 20b with whic the periorations 223sL and 2da of terminal plates 23 and 2l are adapted to register, rivets 25 and 26 or the like being adapted to penetrate said periorations to rigidly secure said terminal and insulating plates to each other. As shown the frame sides are provided with relatively large perforations 17 and 181 to provide insulating clearance for the heads of rivets 25 and 2 Interposed between the terminal plates 23, 24.- and their associated insulatin plates 19 and 29 are the perforated ends o a pair of shaped relativelyV thin resilient stationary contacts 2'( and 28,

with notches 19c and 20c to accommodate said offset portions 271 and 28b whereby the contact portions 27, 28a are held in substantial alinement while permitting lateral exure of the main body portions of contacts 27 and 28.

Terminal plates 23 and 24 are provided with horizontally extending portions 23b and 24h which are perforated and tapped for cooperation with theusual binding screws ,23 and 24,the ends 23d and 24d being slightly upturned to facilitate wiring.

Pressed or extruded inwardly from the frame sides 17 and 18 and alined with each other are a pair of studs or projections 17 and 18 against which the open pivot ends 29 and 30 o a substantially U-shaped metallic carrier 31 are adapted to bear. The reflexed end of said carrier is provided with a relatively narrow slot 32 having an intermediate substantially circular enlargement 33 of a size to permit free passage of the coiled tension spring 34 therethrough. Thus in attaching the movable or bridging contacter 35 of the switch to the carrier 31 a Hat punched insulating plate 36 is passed through the narow slot 37 in said contactor until the latter bears against the shoulders 36 rovided on said plate, and thereafter an insu ating disk 38 having a relatively narrow slot 39 1s strung upon said plate. The hooked end 34a of tension spring 34 may then be passed through the perforation 36b in plate 36, and said spring may be drawn through the aforementioned enlargement 33 to clamp the contacter to the carrier, but in insulated relation with respect thereto.

Prior to tensioning of the spring 34, however, the actuating shaft 40 is passed through the bearing opening 41 in the frame, and strung upon the shaft between the frame sides are a spacing collar 42 and a punched metal plate 43 (Fi 7); said plate 43 having a keyhole slot t e enlarged portion 44 of which is adapted to permit passage of the shaft 40 therethrough until the reduced end 45 of the latter engages with the bearing opening 46 in the opposite side of the frame. Shaft 40 is notched as shown at 47 in Fig. 2 for cooperation with the reduced portion 48 of the slot within plate 43, whereby the plate and shaft may be interlocked against relative rotary or endwise movement. By the construction illustrated, it will be seen that the shaft 40 and plate 43 are positively held against endwise movement relative to the frame.

When the plate 43 is thus assembled upon the shaft 40 withinhthe frame the open bearing portions 29 and' 30 of the carrier may be brought into engagement with the pivot projections 17 and 18, and thereafter the h'ooked end 34b of spring 34 may be engaged with the notch 49 in plate 43 to tension the spring and thus retain the several parts in assembled relation to the frame.

To normally bias the switch to closed position I preferably provide a coiled torsion spring 50 one angular-ly extending end of which is engaged with a perforation 51 in the frame and the other an larly extending end of which is adapte to engage the notched lug 52 of a member 53,-sa1d member having a straight sided slot 54 toV engage a notched portion of the shaft 40. As is well understood the spring 50 may be stressed or ,twisted to the desired degree prior to attachment of the member 53 to the shaft, to normally bias the latter in a clockwise direction (Fig. 2). Movement of shaft 40 in such clockwise direction is limited by engagement of a lug or projection 55 on plate 43 with the struck up lug 56 on the base portion 16 of the frame.

The shaft 40 is extended in a straight line for a considerable distance beyond the frame 15 and is then bent downwardly at substantially right angles to provide the lever arm 57, said leverarm having a bent end portion 58 located in the plane of oscillation thereof,-said end portion 58 being adapted to act as a cam fa ce for engagement by the edge of a door or similar closure.

Thus upon assembly of the switch parts in the manner aforedescribed, the switch may be mountedwithin the outlet box 59 by passing the end portion 58 and lever 57 outwardly through a suitable perforation in one of the side walls of the box,the frame being then rigidly secured to the bottom wall 60 of the box by means of a air of countersunk screws 61 or the like. l strip 62 of liber or similar insulating material is preferably clamped between the frame and said bottom wall of the box and extends along one side wall of the latter, as shown at 63. surface of the box might be provided with an insulating lining-although this expedient is unnecessary in practice.'

f If desired, of course the entire inner The outlet box may then be secured in an inverted position (as and 4) to the to or ceiling 64 of a telep booth or the li e, as by means of suitable screws which penetrate the perforations 65 in the box (Fig. 1) the arrangement' bein such that the lever 57, or rather the en best shown in Figs. 2 one portion I58 thereof, is located in a position 16 of the frame,

'turned lugs or projections 17d, 18d

closure or substantial closure of the booth doors the lever 57 is permitted to move to the dotted line position illustrated in Fig. 2 to effect closure of the switch contacts.

ile excessive movement of lever 57 in a clockwise direction is prevented by engagement of the lugs 55 and 56 as aforestated, I prefer to provide the outlet box with acover 67 having a projection 67a to be engaged by said lever to restrain the latter from counterclockwise movement beyond the dotted line position thereof in Fig. 2. Said cover is secured in position as b means of a pair of screws 68 which take into tapped lugs 69 secured Within the outlet box,-an insulating plate 67b conforming to the shape of the cover being preferably interposed between the latter and the outlet boX.

As shown in Fig. 2 movement of the carrier 3l in one direction may engagement thereof with the bottom portion and movement of said carrier in the opposite direction is preferably limited by engagement thereof with the inupon the side portions 17 and 18 of the frame.

As shown in Figs. 2 and 6 the carrier 3l is provided on opposite edges of the arms thereof with arcuate notches S12-the respective pairs of notches being adapted to provide clearance for'the eyelets 2l, 22 or the like upon assembly ofthe carrier to the frame in either of two alternative relations.

In order to provide against failure of the contractor 35 to move out of engagement with the stationary contacts due to freezing or sticking of the contacts, I preferably provide upon the plate 43 a relatively long and angular projection 70 which normally is not required to function. Thus under normal conditions movement of lever 57 in a counterclockwise direction (to the full line position shown in Fig. 2) will result in movement of the end 34h of spring 34 across the pivotal center of the carrier and the resultant increase in tension upon spring 34 and the direction of its force as applied to the carrier will cause the contactor to snap to off position. However, if the contactor is stuck or frozen to the contactors the projection 70 aforementioned is adapted to engage the spring 34: throughout a considerable portion of the length thereof and the same is bodily distorted to substantially increase the tension thereof, with resultant insurance that the contactor will be disengaged from its cooperating stationary contacts. v

The switch as illustrated offers no unusual resistance to movement thereof from its off to its on position, but it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that where a contactor of the character illustrated is to be moved with a snap action from one lon position to an opposite on position that probe limited by i jections such as that shown at 70 mi ht be arranged on opposite longitudinal si es of the coiled tension spring. The kick-olf device herein described is of great advantage since it insures disengagement of the switch contacts with a sna action, whereas the so called positive klok-olf devices of the prior art may inherently operate in a manner to provide a substantially slow break of the controlled circuit, with the disadvantages incident to such operation.

Inasmuchas the switch frame is adapted to directly support the actuatin shaft and the carrier I preferably form t e same of bronze or similar relatively hard and wearresisting metal.

What I claim as' new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In an electric snap switch, in combination, a metallic frame comprising a base portion and parallel sides integral therewith.'

a pair of flat punched insulatin plates located exteriorly of said sides am? rigidly secured thereto, identically shaped wiring terminal members located exteriorly of said plates, rivets penetrating the respective plates and terminal members to rigidly secure the latter to the former, said frame having perforations to provide insulating clearance for the rivet heads, right and left hand resilient contact members each having a perforated end to be clamped between one of said terminal members and its associated insulating contact members having contact portions inwardly offset toward each other, and said insulating plates having notches to receive the offset portions whereby said kcontact members are retained in substantial alineinent with each other while permitting lateral llexure thereof.

2. In an electric snap switch, in combination, a metallic frame comprising a base portion and parallel sides integral therewith, a pair of flat punched insulating plates located exteriorly of said sides and rigidly secured thereto, identically shaped wiring terminal members located exteriorly of said plates, rivets penetrating the respective plates and terminal members to ri idly secure the latter to the former, said frame having perforations to provide insulating clearance for the rivet heads, right and left hand resilient contact members each having a erforated end te be clamped between one o? said terminal members and its associated insulating plate, the forward ends of said contact members havingy con-x tact portions inwardly offset toward each other, said insulating plates having notches to receive Athe o'set portions whereby said contact members are retained in substantial alinement with each other while permitting lateral lexure thereof, pivot projections pressed inwardly from the respective sides plate, the forward ends of saidits .of in the reverse direction.

3. ln an electric snap switch, in combination, a metallic frame comprising a base ortion and parallel sides integral therewit a pair of flat punched insulating plates located exteriorly of said sides and rigidly secured thereto, identically shaped wiring terminal members located exteriorly of said plates, rivets enetrating the respective plates and terminal members to rigidly secure the latter to the former, said frame having perforations to provide insulating clearance for the rivet heads, right and left hand resilient contact members each having a perforated end to be clamped between one of said terminal members and its associated insulating plate, the forward ends of said contact members having contact portions inwardly offset toward each other, said insulating plates having notches to receive the offset portions whereby said contact members are retained in substantial alinement with each other while pei'initting lateral lexure thereof, pivot projections pressed inwardly from the respective sides o'f said frame, a substantially U-shaped contact carrier having open end bearings for engagement with said pivot projections, a coiitactor secured to said carrier but insulated therefrom, said carrier being engageable with the base portion of said frame to limit movement `thereof in one direction, and said frame having inwardly bent lugs at one end with which said carrier is adapted to engage to limit movement thereof in the reverse direction, said carrier having alined cut-away portions on the upper and lower edges theieof to provide clearance between the same and certain of the elements which secure said insulating plates to said frame and whereby said carrier is adapted for assembly in either of two reverse relations with respect to said frame.

il. ln a door-operated switch, the combination with an outlet box, of a substantially til-shaped metallic frame secured directly to one wall of said outlet box, snap switch mechanism supported directly by said frame said mechanism including a pair of stationary7 contacts secured to but insulated from said frame and an actuating shaft extending outwardly through another wall of said box in a plane parallel to said first mentioned wall thereof, and means comprising a lever arm integral with said shaft and extending at substantially right angles thereto exteriorly of said box, said lever having a bent end portion adapted to provide a cam face.V f

5. In a door-operated switch, the combination with an outlet box, of a substantially U-shaped metallic frame secured directly to one wall of said outlet box, snap switch mechanism supported directly by said frame, said mechanism including a pair of stationary contacts secured to but insulated from said frame and an actuating shaft eX- tending outwardly through another wall of said boX in a plane parallel to said first mentioned wall thereof, means comprising a lever arm integral with said shaft and eir-` tending at substantially right angles thereto exteriorly of said box, said lever having a bent end portion adapted to provide a cam face, and means comprising a coiled torsion spring interposed between and attached to said frame and said shaft to bias the latter to a given extreme position.

6. In an electric snap switch, in combina- 0 tion, a substantially U-shaped metallic' frame, a pair of insulating plates located eX- teriorly of said frame and secured to the respective arms thereof, said plates having alined notches in the forward ends thereof, a pair` of resilient contact members located exteriorly of said plates, said contact members having enlarged and flared ends offset inwardly toward each other, the offsetting portions of said members being adapted for engagement with the walls of said notches, and terminal members 'rigidly secured to said insulating plates and in clamping engagement with the respective contact members.

7. In an electric snap switch, in combination, a substantially U-shaped metallic frame, a pair of insulating plates located eX- teriorly of said frame and secured to the respective arms thereof, said plates having alined notches in the forward ends thereof, a pair of resilient contact members located exteriorly of said plates, said contact members having enlarged a'i'id flared ends odset inwardly toward each other, the offsetting portions of said members being adapted for engagement with the walls of said notches, terminal members rigidly secured to said insulatiiig yplates and inl clamping engagement respective arms thereof, said plates having to be held in interlocking engagement with alined notches in the forward ends thereof, each other by the tension of said spring a pair of resilient contact members located and projecting means integral with sai exteriorly of said plates, said contact memplate and adapted for engagement withl 5 bers having enlarged and liared ,ends offset said spring intermediate the ends thereof 70 inwardly-toward each other, the oilsetting to substantially increase the tension of the portions of said members being adapted for latter whereby movement of said contactor engagement with the walls of said notches, from one extreme position to the other is terminal members rigidly secured to said ininsured:

sulating plates and in clamping engagement In Wltness whereof, I have hereunto sub- 75 with the respective contact members, a subscribed my name. stantially elliptical contactor ivotally sup- GEORGE J. MEUER. ported with respect to said rame but insulated therefrom, and means for eifectin snap movement of said contactor into an out of bridging engagement with said resilient contacts, said means including means for normally biasing said contactor to bridging posit-ion.

9. In an electric snap switch, in combination, a substantially U-shaped metallic frame having alined pivot projections extruded inwardly from the 'adjacent walls thereof, a substantially U-shaped carrier `2,5 the arms of which are provided with open bearings for pivotal engagement with said projections a substantially elliptical contactor at the refiexed end of said carrier, an insulating disk interposed between said contactor and said carrier, said contactor, disk and carrier having relatively narrow substantially rectangular perforations, a. punched insulating plate having shouldered portions penetrating said erforations and l engaging the ,walls thereo to prevent relative rotation'of said parts, and a tension spring one end of which is attached to said plate to retain said parts in assembled relation to each other and to retain said car- 40 rier in pivotal engagement with said frame.

100 In an electric snap switch, in combination, a substantially U-shaped metallic frame having alined pivot projections extruded inwardly :from the adjacent walls thereof a substantiallyvU-shaped carrier the arms of which are provided with open bearings for pivotal engagement with said projections, a substantial y elliptical contactor at the relexed end of said carrier, an insulatimg disk interposed between said Vcontactor and said carrier, said Acontactor, disk and carrier having relatively narrow substantially rectangular perforations, a unched insulating plate having shoulderehl portions Apenetrating said perforations and engaging the walls thereof to prevent relative rotation of said parts, a tension spring one end of which is attached to said plate to retain said parts in assem- 00 bled relation to each other and to retain said carrier in pivotal engagement with said frame, a punched metal plate to. which ,"th'e other end of said spring is attached, a rotatable actuating shaft, said shaft and .l plate havingcooperative angular surfaces 

